Investing in Our Students and Our State

On Aug. 16, 2013, UK dedicated two new residence halls – Central I and II – which combine to form an academic village that will house 601 students in some of the most advanced living and learning space in the country. Many more academic villages will open in the next few years on the UK campus. What do they mean for our students and our state?

The construction of Central Hall I and II alone employed 430 direct employees and 292 indirect workers, 75 percent of whom are Kentucky residents. The construction represented $15.5 million in expenditures in Kentucky with nearly $400,000 in sales taxes being generated for the state. Construction of new residence halls already in the works will employ more than 2,300 people directly, create another 1,580 indirect jobs and generate $2.24 million in Kentucky sales tax revenues. Over the next two years, 4,600 new residence hall beds will open. In all, some $500 million in private investment from our partner EdR, in up to 9,000 new residence hall beds over the next several years will occur - part of a transformation and revitalization of Kentucky's flagship institution of higher learning. Along with another $275 million currently being invested in new classroom, research and athletics space, the University of Kentucky campus is making a bold statement about what a residential university should look like in the 21st century. It's happening because of the leadership of the UK Board of Trustees and an incredible faculty and staff, who are placing students first in everything they do.

It's happening because of Gov. Steve Beshear and the Kentucky legislature, who believe in a compelling vision for our state's flagship institution. Because of the lives we touch and teach … help and heal … we are carrying on as the standard-bearers of a promise born 150 years ago with our founding. We will never step back from that promise. "see blue."

Learn more at uky.edu/housingimpact